Name: Pizza Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for pan -; 12 oz. cavatappi pasta -; 2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided -; 1 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed -; 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, stemmed and sliced -; 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 c.) -; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped -; 3 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce -; 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes -; 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano -; 1 tsp. dried basil -; 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes -; 1/2 green bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, chopped into 1/2" pieces -; 3 c. shredded mozzarella, divided -; 1/3 c. sliced pepperoni (about 2 oz.) -

Ingredients for - Pizza Casserole

1. 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for pan

2. 12 oz. cavatappi pasta

3. 2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

4. 1 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed

5. 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, stemmed and sliced

6. 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 c.)

7. 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

8. 3 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce

9. 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes

10. 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

11. 1 tsp. dried basil

12. 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

13. 1/2 green bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, chopped into 1/2" pieces

14. 3 c. shredded mozzarella, divided

15. 1/3 c. sliced pepperoni (about 2 oz.)

How to cook deliciously - Pizza Casserole

1 . Stage

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13"-by-9" glass baking dish with oil.

2 . Stage

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and 2 tablespoons salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 7 to 9 minutes (pasta should still be slightly undercooked in the center). Drain pasta; set aside.

3 . Stage

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add sausage and cook, breaking into bite-size pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer sausage to a medium bowl, leaving as much fat in skillet as possible.

4 . Stage

In same skillet over medium heat, combine mushrooms and 1 tablespoon oil; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing occasionally, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to bowl with sausage.

5 . Stage

In same skillet over medium heat, cook onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Remove 2 cups sauce and reserve. Fold bell peppers and cooked sausage, mushrooms, and reserved pasta into remaining sauce. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes more.

6 . Stage

Pour half of pasta mixture into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Top with remaining pasta mixture. Pour reserved 2 cups sauce over.

7 . Stage

Cover pan with foil and bake until hot and bubbling around the edges, about 20 minutes. Remove foil, top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella, then pepperoni, and continue to bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.